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USMNT vs. Mexico

The friendly is scheduled this Wednesday in Mexico City at arguably one of the hardest places to play in the entire world, Azteca. It will be aired on ESPN2 at 6:00 pm. The US roster was released yesterday and can be found here:

Lots of MLS and Liga MX guys. No Dempsey, Bradley, Altidore, etc. due to various club situations or injuries. Some surprise inclusions and some that will hopefully be given this last opportunity to show that they belong on the National Team or be dropped for good.

I was very excited when I heard the Mexican Federation agreed to have this game be played at Azteca (Mexico is undefeated there or has only lost one in 30+ games). We will most likely meet them there later on down the World Cup qualifying road and it is an invaluable experience for those players that have not played in that environment yet (phone calls at the hotel all night, Mexicans surrounding the team bus, batteries and bags of urine being thrown at players during the game, etc. for those who haven't read the horror stories of Azteca). My excitement and optimism has fallen off quite a bit after the Gold Medal Mexico won and this US roster that is very green. If, and it is a big if, we can keep the game scoreless for the first 30 minutes we have a much better chance of tying or winning. If Mexico comes out and scores within 20 minutes then I can see the score ending up 4-1 or worse. This feels like a huge gamble and could affect upcoming WC Qualifying games negatively if we are totally outplayed.

Any thoughts on the roster? Who should have been included or excluded? Predictions on the outcome of the game? This feels like a huge gamble and could affect upcoming WC Qualifying games negatively if we are totally outplayed.

Re: USMNT vs. Mexico

This is probably about the best that can be expected roster wise for a friendly that falls right before the start of the major European leagues. It's nice to see some new blood in defense. Whether these guys work out in the long run or not remains to be seen, but Bocanegra & Cherundolo are not getting any younger & guys like Goodson are going to be on the wrong side of 30 by 2014 as well. Unfortunately, I think we can stick a fork in Onyewu. I'd like to see Lichaj & Ream get some run again soon, but I can see why it's probably more valuable for them both to be with Aston Villa & Bolton right now trying to cement their spots with their clubs. I'm also hearing that Edu might get a look at center back for this one.

I'm excited to see Boyd, Johnson, & Cameron. Boyd is off to a nice start with Rapid Vienna & it would be nice to have another big, solid striker to put some pressure on Jozy for his spot up top. This will be a good experience for Cameron before he heads off to Stoke.

I don't think we should read too much into this result win or lose though. This clearly isn't the US A-side without Deuce, Bradley, and Jozy. This match will be a great way to season some of the younger guys in how ridiculously hostile road environments in CONCACAF can be. That will pay off down the road in WC qualifying even if the US goes down 4-0.

Re: USMNT vs. Mexico

Well I really can't see the US keeping this one very close without the European based players. A positive result though could really give the US some momentum heading into the next leg of WC qualifying. Like everyone else, I am really excited to see some of the new guys get a shot. There really is not a bigger test in international football than a game in Mexico City. As a SKC fan, I am excited that Besler and Zusi are getting a shot.

Re: USMNT vs. Mexico

Originally Posted by Wesley

What is the elevation of Azteca?

Originally Posted by shagcarpetjesus

Something like 7200 feet I believe and some of the worst air quality in the world.

It's not so much the elevation that's the concern, but the air quality at that elevation. The US can train (and has in the past, I believe) in Utah, which has higher elevations than Mexico City. However, what the US cannot replicate is 100,000 screaming fans 1 1/3 miles in the sky with some of the worst pollution in the world. The US can replicate any one of these conditions, but not all three of them at the same time.

Chuck Lidell: I paint my toenails with pink and black polish. Problem is, I get more paint on my toes and on the carpet than on my nails. Any advice?Maria Sharapova: Don't you beat up other guys for a living? I don't know how to answer this.

Re: USMNT vs. Mexico

I just saw the roster that Mexico called in and they've got a pretty solid side for this one. No dos Santos or Salcido because they need a bit of rest after the grueling Olympic tournament (I'm guessing), but other than that it's pretty much their A-team. Chicharito, Barrera, and Guardado are all there with Ochoa in goal. Of course, it helps when practically everybody that plays for your national team is based domestically (except Chicharito obviously). No Rafa Marquez but that's probably a good thing for El Tri at this point in his career.

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